The film, Atomic Cafe, was interesting to watch and I feel like the film could have a great number of different effects, based on who watches it. As a documentary, I feel like the film does a great job of expressing the thoughts and mood of the time. However, it is this same aspect of the film that will change how different generations view it. The old saying "Knowledge is Power" really fits with the whole situation as we know so much more now as compared to back during that time,that it makes all the stuff they thought back then seem ridiculous and funny. But to those in the time, it was all they had to go by so there really wasn't much choice but for them to believe and hope for the best.
Over the course of the film, we see various events involving atomic weaponry and the results that came from them. Many of these were news reports that people during the time saw and reacted to. Imagining an enemy in possession of the same weapon that could cause the destruction these people saw could easily cause people to be afraid and worried for their lives. People needed to look to others for protection which is why they were so susceptible to the ridiculous ideas put forth by the government and salespeople. If you have nothing else, you gotta take what's there.
During discussion, someone mentioned that the ideas about nuclear war and the measures to protect one's self became the culture of the time. This certainly fits with the film in many ways and is supported by all kinds of aspects that are seen. It seemed like everything of the time referenced to the atomic bomb in some way. Names of restaurants and products using atomic, music talking about the bomb, talk shows asking about nuclear warfare, everywhere you went you would see or hear something about the atomic bomb and war. Constantly seeing it like this also fueled people to continue feeling the same way over time. Like the film showed similar clips over and over again, people of the time were bombarded with the same ideas constantly.
The film also demonstrated how the threat of atomic war created a desire for products. Bomb shelters, hazard suits, all kinds of things people wouldn't need, and in many cases wouldn't even work, became more appealing to consumers. This caused a rush to buy these things so the atomic bomb helped to fuel what popular products were bought. The atomic bomb was also used to help sell normal products, like in the reading. Women were compared to atomic bombs so products were bought to make yourself into a real "bombshell". Bikini's were sold cause you'd be a bigger hit than what hit Bikini Atol.
Even the development of entire cities were affected by nuclear threat. Many cities are built with highways running through them, which though inconvenient at times, would have provided a quick escape during an attack. As shown through the reading, giant cities built around circular road patterns were designed for the same reason. The entirety of the nation was affected by the paranoia of the atom bomb, from cities, to homes, to even people themselves.
Looking back today, all of it seems ridiculous and unreasonable. But what we see as irrational today, was all people had to believe back then. The more we understand of something, the less afraid of it we are. Today, the knowledge of nuclear weapons is fairly wide-spread so even though they exist, we are less inclined to let the fear of them affect our lives.
